Physiatry Update & Kidwalk Fun

Physiatry update from 11/6/2014~and since I'm always asked "What's Physiatry?", here's some info :)

Info link:
What is a Physiatrist?

Physiatrists, or rehabilitation physicians, are nerve, muscle, and bone experts who treat injuries or illnesses that affect how you move
Rehabilitation physicians are medical doctors who have completed training in the medical specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). Specifically, rehabilitation physicians:

Diagnose and treat pain
Restore maximum function lost through injury, illness or disabling conditions
Treat the whole person, not just the problem area
Lead a team of medical professionals
Provide non-surgical treatments
Explain your medical problems and treatment/prevention plan

We first started a treatment plan for Tessa with Dr. Wright in January 2013.  It's hard to believe she wasn't even 3 years old yet!  At that time we chose to try Baclofen to help Tessa achieve more function movement with her tone.  Here is my update from back then.  We had just recently gotten her KidWalk walker and were so ready for her to be physically able to start using it.

Well in June of 2013, we were very sad to hear that Dr. Wright was taking a position in Austin TX.  Until a couple of weeks ago, we hadn't see him since then.  It was sooooooo great to see him again!

Dr. Wright is currently holding monthly clinics at the JD McCarty center down in Norman.  We had our first appointment with him on Thursday November 6th.

He came in talking about how great Tessa looked...and as her parents, that was lovely to hear :)

Our latest challenges, other than her high tone and rigidity, have been repeated movement with her right hand.  The movement has seemed to be tied to the epileptic spasms that she started having within the last year.  The repeated movement isn't what causes concern...it's the fact that Tessa will pull her hand to her mouth and bite down...h.a.r.d!  So hard we're afraid that she'll break skin one day :/  Tessa has always had very intense oral tone and has always needed some kind of oral therapy chew toy (aka - primarily a pacifier) to help her get relief from all the tension that the excess tone in her mouth causes her.  Between that, her spastic cp, and her seizures...it can be challenging to determine what exactly is happening during those movements.

Tessa was ridiculously cute waiting to see the doctor :)
And sweet Parker was quietly playing on the iPad while we waited

Here is one of our solutions to help spare Tessa's little hand!

It's amazing the kinds of things you dream up when you're left feeling desperately creative ;)

No need to wrap it around a carseat...just wrap it around Tessa's right hand ;)

And voila!!

(this thing has been a huge hit...so probably gunna need to get a few back-ups)

Memory Lane: 10/4/2012

When her KidWalk first got delivered!

Cutie-Patootie! 

and now, 2 years later....

she's so big!

I was so proud of her!  She was on a bit of an incline here and she showed me!

(I did move her to a more level spot after this)

That walking stuff is hard work!

~Whitney

SJN School Experiences!

Twinkie-Selfie-Smiles!  The best :)

Story time with friends!

Oh you know, just a little friend helping Tessa talk on the phone during center time.

cutest. thing. ever.

getting to pet a puppy during Reb Ribon Week

(this particular day was Neon Day)

little miss long legs ;)

a little snuggle time

and a little finger painting!

getting some standing time in during recess and a little special attention ;)

so big!

and THIS!

doing a little painting on her own during center time!

I can't even tell you how much I love about these next two pictures!

this one is getting a frame...for sure!

We are so thankful for the incredible people at SJN!!  INCREDIBLE!

I could go on and on and on about what the opportunities they have provided Tessa have meant to us...and I will, but for now, I wanted to share the glimpses we have gotten into her school days :)

~Whitney

An Exciting Day!!

Well today is the day...hopefully :)  We have an appointment this afternoon to find out if Parker and Tessa will be welcoming a brother or sister in the Spring!!  Parker is so excited!  We have names picked out and we are all excited and ready to finally land on one!  Now we're just hoping Baby Bynum doesn't hide from us this afternoon ;)

The last 18 weeks have been very different from anything I've ever experienced.  Obviously being pregnant and having a 4 1/2 and almost 7 year old has been very different...but the differences in my perspective have been the most notable.  One of my biggest perspective shifts over the last several years has been finding peace and joy in today.  I don't seem to spend as much time worrying about tomorrow...yes, because typically today has enough troubles of its own...but also because today holds so much to be embraced and experienced.  During my last two pregnancies (though hard to remember back sometimes) I know I spent the majority of the time dreaming of the future...imagining what life would be like once the baby was here.  I imagined all things good and lovely...a life that resembled an embarrassing level of perfection at times.  I remember embracing my growing belly, etc...but overall, I was very forward-thinking.  This time, I'm not spending much time on that.  I find that today, I'm thankful to be pregnant another day.  I'm thankful for the moments that I feel good and am full of energy throughout my day.  I'm thankful for each and every flutter in my belly.  I stop and cherish the moments when Parker pats my belly and asks me "how's the baby doing today?" with a huge grin on his face.

I've had a really hard time writing anything down over the last few months...some in part because I haven't felt the greatest and am thankful to now be on the other side of 1st trimester challenges!  But, I've had plenty swirling through my head, just nothing really to land on...until today.
From Jesus Calling November 4th:
Walk peacefully with me through this day.  You are wondering how you will cope with all that is expected of you.  You must traverse this day like any other: one step at a time.  Instead of mentally rehearsing how you will do this or that, keep your mind on My Presence and on taking the next step.  The more demanding your day, the more help you can expect from Me.  This is a training opportunity, since I designed you for deep dependence on your Shepherd-King.  Challenging times wake you up and amplify your awareness of needing My help.
When you don't know what to do, wait while I open the way before you.  Trust that I know what I'm doing, and be ready to follow My lead.  I will give strength to you, and I will bless you with Peace.
Exodus 33:14; Deuteronomy 33:25; Hebrews 13:20-21; Psalm 29:11

Just because I've had rather significant changes in my perspective over time, that doesn't mean that I never worry.  But it does mean that I have a much better approach to the worries and fears that can so easily begin to take over.  I am so very human...and I am as susceptible to worry as the next...but I feel better equipped to resolve my worries and fears before they take over.  The things that I am aware of in my life today, look nothing like they did over 5 and 7 years ago.  The realities of disabilities, illnesses, suffering and loss have a much bigger existence in my life than they ever have before.  From the passage above: "I designed you for deep dependence on your Shepherd-King"...this resonates more and more in my life the more time that goes by.  The things of this world are not good and lovely...they are hard and painful and gut-wrenching at times. But by design, "challegning times wake you up and amplify your awareness of needing My help".  I can't do this life without my relationship with God.  I can't.  I can't get up and face each day and I sure can't dive head-first into the unknowns of another pregnancy...another little life's dependence on me.  But I can peacefully walk through this day knowing He is the provider of strength, hope and grace.  I can put one foot in front of the other because the King promises the blessing of Peace when we learn to depend on Him.

I am excited for today.  I am excited to see our little baby and to finally give a name.  I am not thrilled about the analytical approach that will inevitably be taken by the medical staff, but I understand their approach.  God has blessed us with this opportunity to love another little precious Bynum Baby and we are thrilled.  This world would have me fear everything unknown, but God would have me trust in the promises of His strength and peace.

Today is an exciting day for our family!!
~Whitney

This & That Catch Up

We had a great Parent/Teacher conference for Tessa!

And Daddy got some carrying time in ~ and I think Tessa kinda loved it!

:)

I think she liked picking on her daddy too...

Parker got some 1st grade awards!

If we eat out on the weekends and have to go to the store too...we'll usually try to eat somewhere within walking distance of the store.  That way I can just walk with Tessa from place to place instead of having to load and unload her and her wheelchair each time.

Parker makes the best of the experiences and I just love that!

 It was a family chain this particular evening :)

Grandma came and watched Tessa for us over her Fall Break.

They had lots of special times together.

Both of Parker's top front teeth are gone now!

The other day when Parker was hugging me we realized that one of these days, probably pretty soon, he's not gunna be able to connect his hands behind my back.

I told him we'd keep taking pictures like this to watch the baby grow ;)

Tessa working on walking before getting up in the Lokomat machine.

She works so hard!!

The many Lokomat-faces of Tessa :)

peek-a-boo mommy

Daddy can always make her smile

He's the perfect Lokomat-entertainment ;)

best snuggles in the world!

We kinda love finding her like this in the mornings ;)

She started out flipped the other way with her head on the boppy...somebody is starting to move & groove during the night!

Giggles after bath!

The best thing in the worl!

We could listen to her giggles all night!

~Whitney

Fall Festival!

The CRBC Fall Festival was a big hit again this year...but man this year it was HOT!  I just have to say, I'm totally against 90 degree days in October.  

Optimus Prime and our Little Cowgirl were just as cute as they could be!  It wasn't long before Tessa was fast asleep in her chair, thankfully she did wake up toward the end to see her friends and take in some of the festivities!

She could barely keep her eyes open for two quick pics once we got there. 

Her brother was raring to go!

We accidentally left her wheelchair canopy at school, so we improvised ;) 

This was way harder than it looks!  

The combination of pigtails and cochlear implants is no joke!

Waiting in line for the huge slide!

Yes...still snoozin ;)

Nothing like friends to bring on the smiles!!

These 3 little cowgirls were the cutest!!!

Parker was making me sweat just watching him play in his costume!

This was an exciting addtion to the festival this year!

I don't think he liked the idea of getting thrown off...so he took control of his fate ;)

~Whitney